By Juliana Estevez
Sept. 27 was a big day for St. Agnes Academic H.S. in College Point. On this day, the Maureen Martin Fritch ’78 Health Science Lab was formally opened.
The day consisted of one bright blue ribbon, a few floral bouquets and many smiles filled with gratitude. Teachers, faculty, alumni of St. Agnes, administration from local universities and Northwell representatives all came together to show their support.
The new lab, which will start off as an extracurricular club, will offer hands-on experience, exposure and opportunities to a variety of healthcare fields. This will broaden the amount of job opportunities students will have accessible to them right after graduation.
Dr. Phyllis Quinlan, a nurse with Northwell Health, shared that she believes the new lab will help to shape various careers, “not necessarily nursing, but however it manifests.”
Innovation and Service
St. Agnes Academic will be celebrating its 110th anniversary this year. Mrs. Nicoletti, principal, said that this medical lab can be seen as a “birthday gift to St. Agnes.” This medical lab is truly a gift – not only for the present and future students of St. Agnes, but also for the world. For it is through this lab that young girls will discover and strengthen their talents in the science field as a whole.
This truly embodies one of the most cherished Dominican pillars of service.
Generosity Brings Opportunity
The creation of the new medical lab would not have been possible if it weren’t for the endless support and generosity of various individuals.
“Everyone here today has played a key role in making this happen,” said Mrs. Nicoletti, at the ceremony. She shared how the idea of opening a medical lab at St. Agnes all began when she visited the health labs of Molloy College, Rockville Centre. From that point on, a medical lab for St. Agnes was in the works! Northwell Health representatives generously donated medical equipment.
Alumni Make A Difference
In addition, several alumni of St. Agnes were happy to give back to their school. Alumna Maureen Fritch told Mrs. Nicoletti that God put her on Earth for a purpose and she knows that St. Agnes needs this lab to help it grow and prosper.
Lisa Kerr, Vice President and Director of Risk Management at Henry Schein, helped tremendously and shared that she was, “excited to have the chance to give back to St. Agnes.”
All of the generosity on behalf of the St. Agnes alumni truly made the medical lab possible. Ms. Gaughan, one of the three St. Agnes assistant principals, stated, “Once a St. Agnes angel, always a St. Agnes angel, and we are blessed by the alumni.”
“This is an exciting time for St. Agnes and I am proud to be able to be a part of providing wonderful opportunities for the students of my alma mater,” said Laura McDonagh, Director of Pediatric Service Line at Cohen Children’s Medical Center.
The Maureen Martin Fritch ’78 Health Science Lab truly holds vast promises of expanding the knowledge, opportunity and dreams of St. Agnes students!
Juliana Estevez is a junior at St. Agnes Academic H.S., College Point.